Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Holy moley! I can't believe it. The end of one journey ends and a whole new adventure begins! Crazy. Time is going by so slowly and that's probably because we hadn't been able to do much of anything other than wish away the time until we see our son again.

We haven't pushed ourselves to do much sightseeing this trip which is fine by me. We've just been strapping on the backpack and walking. To no where in particular. Just walking. We figure whatever gets us through. We'll have plenty of trips back with our boy to explore with a mission. This trip it just seemed more comfortable for us to just...float. So, our floating landed us at Starbux this morning where we are pretty much staring at the time tick and drinking more coffee and playing more solitare than should be legal. :) It is nice to just hang with Mike without a plan though. That never happens.

There is another family here that we've met. Very nice. We haven't hung out but I think that's only because Mike and I are up and out walking off the willies pretty bright and early every morning and stay out until dinner. Then we grab something quick and hit the hay. They are here until Monday and get their boy for keeps on Friday. When we did meet briefly in the hall the other day we were like a group of sugar spiked kids. Huge smiles, practically jumping out of out skin! "We're in Korea! We're getting our boys!!!"

Alright! Thanks for hanging out with me for a bit! 105 more minutes to go!

Monday, November 29, 2010

It was incredible. He was so easy going, came to both Mike and I, sat with us, fish hooked Mike with his little fingers, re-styled my hair (he likes whispy pieces pulled from a ponytail apparently, who knew?!), and put on a little baby babbling show for us. He's beautiful. Even more beautiful than the pictures we received, even more beautiful than we BOTH dreamt about last night (weird right?)....He's funny, he's loving, he's strong...like really strong....that boy wanted a piece of fruit I was eating and he went for it full on. I won but just barely.

The first person he went staight for was Mike. They told us that he favors the man in the house. But then he was done investigating him and was ok with sitting with me for a while. I'd sing a little bit of pororo and he would grunt along with me. It was really surprising and we all got a good laugh!

We were warned on the way there that he may not be in the best of spirits because he is getting over a cold and has a fever but he was great albeit a tad sweaty. Poor boy. The word from the doc is that he is on the mend and he is scheduled to visit the doctor again just before we pick him up for good on.........WEDNESDAY! Wednesday at 11am we get our boy for good!

Just thought I'd throw that in there! Bam! Happy dance central! ;)

We also had the pleasure of meeting our boy's foster brother and sister who were pleased to receive the gifts we brought for them and seemed to really like them. Before we left they presented Mike and I with a bag for our son. Inside was a traditional Hanbok which our son will proudly sport on his first birthday, sentimental crafts lovingly made by his foster sister and the most heartfelt letter written by her as well. So, so sweet. We'll keep them forever and pass them on to our boy to treasure always.

Great day. The best day ever in fact.

Thanks for all the great comments guys! I really look forward to getting them!I'm thinking of you all often.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Holy cow! 87 minutes to go. I don't know why I'm so nervous. I can't rationalize it. I keep telling myself that it should just be pure excitement not nervousness but you guys....wow, its just all of that at once. All this time, all this thinking, all this praying, has come down to today. This afternoon we meet our son. O-M-G, right?!

That is what today consisted of and we are not done yet! We still have one more meal to go. I think the deal this trip (other than the obvious) is to just eat as much as we can. We just can't say no and it is all amazing!

In between eating we did managed to shop a ton and get the boy some awesome Pororo gear and visit a huge aquarium. It was really busy but all the better for us because we got to see all the great fish, sharks, turtles, manatees, even penguins and people watch too. Then we walked, walked, and walked some more which is great considering all the food we're eating. Did I mention how much we're loving the food? ;)

So, tomorrow is the big day. We meet our son! Its just too good. I can't believe that in just hours we'll be in the same room as him. We are scheduled to be at our case worker's office at 1:30 and then from there we'll visit the foster family's home. I have all of the gifts wrapped and ready to go but I'm having some difficulty writing the card I have for our boy's foster mother. Whatta say, you know? I'll figure it out, I just have to stop thinking so much.

Well- we're off! Going to look up some new Korean words, take a stroll, and you guessed it, to eat.

안녕 or bye! Talk to you later! We hope you're all having a nice, cozy weekend!

Friday, November 26, 2010

We're here and LOVING it! The people are so lovely, the culture is so beautiful, and we've felt so welcome and embraced! Sometimes literally! :)

Our flight was uneventful, comfortable, and they fed us well! Too well! Korean Air was incredible and well exceeded our expectations. Hot towels, slippers, the whole bit. Really, really nice.

Our accomodations have all the necessary appliances and feels very homey. We feel very comfortable.

We're feeling pretty tired despite snoozing on the ride over but we did get to go out for a walk this morning for a few hours. We grabbed some bread, bananas, and other goodies at the Emart (like walm*rt). We felt super cool grocery shopping in Korea but probably looked so nerdy snapping pics of eachother holding the basket.

Something that has struck me several times in the short time we've been here? Korea is SO clean! I'm amazed by it. Like sparkling, shiny, clean. The stores, the streets, everywhere. Big, friendly, and CLEAN.

Oh! You know what else was really cool? When we first deboarded the plane we used the restroom. When I got into the stall I noticed what looked like a doorbell on the inside of the stall wall...."Hmm, what's this...should I press it?" I thought. I was on my way out so I decided to go for it. As I reached down I noticed the writing on it said "Toilet Ettiquette".....Yes, it is exactly what you think it is! A sound box that makes a bunch of noise. Like 10 toilets flushing all at once! You have to admit- that's cool! So high-tech!

I am taking lots of pics but I've not yet found wifi. Our room does have a computer though so at the very least I'll write and then overload you with pics later. I'm thinking we'll find a way before then though!

Its 12:40 pm here and rainy. It looks like we are going to lay low for the rest of the day. Watch movies, get settled, maybe hit a neighbourhood restaurant for dinner, and go to bed early. We are so tired.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

I've been at it all day! Cleaning, organizing, packing, and all around NESTING!

I'm getting near done though and now all that's left on the to do list is fun stuff! Manicure, hair appointment, etc. I've been looking forward to that time when I can just sit back and really take it all in.

We have some family house / dog sitting while we're away and they arrive tomorrow afternoon. Poor Dex knows that something exciting is happening but he can't quite figure it all out. :)

To say that the developments in Korea have been on our radar would be the under statement of the year. Praying. Praying. Praying.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

What a day! I feel like yesterday was a complete blur of excitement! Here's how it all went down...At 10:01 am the phone rang & I saw our agency's name pop up. Before I could think anything I grabbed it.

Me: Hello?Them: Hi. Is this Misty?Me: This is her.Them: Hi Misty this is S.Me: Hi S! How are you?Them: I'm great thanks. How are you?Me: I can't breathe...IS THIS THE CALL?!Them: Yes! Your son is ready for you!Me: (Total. Blubbering. Mess.) I'm (cry stutter) sorry! I can't breathe.Them: That's ok! They're happy tears! You cry, I'll talk!

Who knows what was said after that! I know I said she had the best job in the world and then thank you like...ten thousand times.

8 weeks on the nose we waited after submitting our paperwork. Our agency says it takes 8-12 weeks for a TC after submitting all of your documents but of course it felt WAY longer because we had first fell in love with him back in August. Plus, our boy had just turned 8 months old the day before yesterday and we were feeling pretty anxious to just get there already!

When I called Mike at work he came straight home and I was waiting at the door when he pulled in. We literally jumped up and down with excitement. Even Dexter (our pup) joined in. Sounds kinda sappy but it was an awesome family moment.

The rest of the day was spend calling around (ovbs) telling our family the news, filling out travel docs, Mike headed back to work, and I stubbled through the rest of the day in total shock, resisting the urge to stop everyone I saw to tell them I was going to Korea to get my son! I have a son! That I'm going to Korea to meet! No biggie. ;)

I had errands to run so Mike met me for dinner and we went for celebratory burgers, fries, and gravy. Maybe it was circumstance but it was the best veggie burger either of us has ever had. Bonus!

Kinda switching gears here but....

Over dinner we thought and talked a lot about our son's foster family. It's strange to imagine the extreme sense of happiness and excitement mixed with compassion you feel at this point. There were things that we were told about our son that only a mothers love would take note of. How his face lights up when he hears a specific song or how he moves in his sleep. These are the things I think about when I think about how she must be feeling at this point. Even when I hung up the phone after receiving the call, I thought about the phone call she would have just received or will soon receive. It's the way this machine is wired though. It's the process and we're so grateful.

We're also thinking of our son's birth mother today and praying for her peace in knowing that our boy is coming home to a family full of love, security, & encouragement.

We're so lucky. We're so happy. We're so grateful.

Before I sign off I just wanted to say a quick and heartfelt thank you to all my blogger friends, family and friends. I know you read it a lot and I just hope that it hasn't lost it's effect. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. For following along, letting us follow & share all of your adventures, and for all the amazing support and kind words of encouragement. This would have been such a lonely and scary road without all of you. Thank you.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Everything is all ready for you here at home. Your room is set, your bed is made, your clothes are washed and hung, and your whole family loves you and are waiting anxiously to snuggle you! Especially your Omma & Appa.

P.S. Your puppy Dexie sleeps in your room all the time! Your bedroom has the best sun spots to stretch out under. ;)

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Ok, I give. This is starting to suck. This morning it hit me while I was staring at his pic. It's a strange feeling. Like, hurt or extreme happiness or "ARGH, hurry up!!" or....I don't know it's difficult to articulate. You know what I mean?He just needs to be home. We need to be able to hold him.

Today i'll be thinking about how thankful I am to our son's foster mother.....and how disgustingly jealous I am.

OK! I'm good again! Gotta push through! :)

*Edit* it's not 20 minutes after I wrote this post and it's amazing how much of a weight I felt has been lifted! Weird. I guess just acknowledging it? Who know's but I feel like a new person!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Other than getting the shutters installed and a couple other details I think we're all set! It's surreal to walk in there and think that I'll soon be staring at these walls wishing for some shut eye or snuggling our son in the big red chair. On a side note- I opened a bag of diapers the other day and was blown away at how small they've become! Truth be told, the last I remember diapers were like bricks! Big, thick, white, bricks. Remember those?